Tri-City Americans to Face Everett in Round 1 of WHL Playoffs

It took the last of the 72 regular season games, but the Western Conference playoff picture is set.

With Portland's 8-2 victory of Seattle, Everett wins the 8th and final playoff berth into the 2012 WHL Playoffs.  Heading into the weekend, if Seattle had beaten Everett Saturday, they would have clinched. But the Silvertips overcame a 3-1 deficit to win 4-3. Sunday, if Seattle had upset Portland, it would have forced a one-game playoff between Seattle and Everett, as each would have had 54 points.

But it didn't turn out that way so on Friday the Americans, No. 1 in the conference, will face Everett. For a complete look at the WHL playoffs -- including what could be a very interesting match between Spokane and Vancouver -- click here.